Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-01-07

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bozkir: Very important developments await the "TRNC" and Turkey in 2016

[02] Bozkir: "2016 is an important year"

[03] Talat met with Turkes in Ankara

[04] Turkes will visit the breakaway regime

[05] Ozersay established the People's Party in the breakaway regime

[06] The water from Turkey has started flowing in the occupied Panagra Dam again; The political crisis on the water management still goes on

[07] A land of 16.5 km2 belonging to Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has come into Turkish possession since 2006

[08] The "ombudsman" has launched investigation against the so-called council of ministers' decision

[09] Ankara looks to strengthen ties with EU during the Dutch presidency

[10] Davutoglu: Ball in Parliament's court on new Constitution

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bozkir: Very important developments await the "TRNC" and Turkey in 2016

First, he met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. Self-styled foreign minister Emine Colak, the illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia Derya Kanbay, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, Akinci's undersecretary Gurdal Hudaoglu, self-styled foreign ministry undersecretary Erhan Ercin, Akinci's spokesman Baris Burcu and a delegation that accompanied. Bozk?r to the occupied area of Cyprus were all present at the meeting.The press were only allowed to record some footage before the meeting that took place behind closed doors.

After Bozkir concluded his visit with Akinci, he met self-styled parliamentary speaker Sibel Siber.

In a statement he made during the visit, Bozkir said that as the EU Affairs Minister of the 64th government of Turkey he was very pleased and honoured to be visiting the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

Noting that very important developments awaited the "TRNC" and Turkey in 2016, Bozkir said that in respect to the solution process on the island a very important phase has been reached in Cyprus and added that Turkey's EU membership negotiations process has also reached a new platform.

Pointing to the importance of visiting the "TRNC" prior to his visit to Europe, the Turkish Minister said that he first wanted to exchange views in the "TRNC" before going to Europe and expressed the hope that the expectations of the "TRNC" are met in the near future.

He also voiced his desire for the "TRNC" to take part as a new founding partner in a bizonal, bicommunal new Cyprus State based on political equality.

Siber, for her part, said that important developments in 2016 are a joint desire of the two "countries". "We want to reach a bizonal, bicommunal solution based on political equality. Despite the negative remarks made by the Greek Cypriot Parliamentary Speaker (editor's note: as he refers to the House Speaker of the Republic of Cyprus) regarding the Cyprus issue, we generally use the language of peace", Siber argued.

"We expect the Greek Cypriot Parliament and other Greek Cypriot officials to show respect to our rights", said Siber and added that the Turkish Cypriot "people" want a solution where they will not feel as though they are a minority. "We want a solution where we will feel safe. That's the only time we will say yes to a solution", Siber noted.

Bozkir also met with self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu. During his visit with Kalyoncu, the Turkish Minister said that he wants to show the importance he gives to Cyprus before he goes to Europe and touches upon Turkey and "TRNC" EU harmonization workings. "Over 250 EU reform laws have been prepared and we are prepared to give every kind of support to the 'TRNC' during their EU harmonization efforts", said Bozkir.

Kalyoncu, for his part, pointed to the infrastructure workings that are taking place regarding the European Union and added that what is important is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem first.

Bozkir then paid a visit to Colak and held a meeting with her during a working lunch.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (07.01.16) reports that during her meeting with Bozkir, Colak expressed her pleasure to meet with the EU Minister Bozkir and his delegation, adding that their meeting will consist of three main headings. Colak stated that they will discuss the role of the EU in the ongoing negotiation process, as well as the committee which is established under the umbrella of the negotiations, adding that they will engage in an exchange of views regarding what sorts of legislations are necessary from the "TRNC government and parliament" to expedite the process. Stating that she will also inform EU Minister Bozkir regarding the issues which may potentially arise during the settlement and post settlement processes, Colak thanked Minister Bozkir and his delegation for their cooperation. Colak concluded by saying that she wants to be briefed by Bozkir on his contacts in the EU.

In the afternoon he further met with the self-styled public works, environment and cultural minister Kutlu Evren and self-styled communications minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu respectively.

Bozkir also gave a conference titled 'Political Science and International Relations' at the illegal Girne American University (GAU), where he received the title of honorary PHD from "GAU's senate".

(DPs)

[02] Bozkir: "2016 is an important year"

Stating that Turkey's ties with the "TRNC" are based on healthy conditions, Bozkir added that their first priority is to support the "TRNC" in all matters. "There were a lot of important developments in 2015, our expectations continue for this year as well. The Cyprus problem exists for 50 years now and for various reasons it was not possible to be solved. Even the Berlin wall has fallen; it is not right for Cyprus to be divided", Bozkir said.

Supporting that the Cyprus problem has reached to a point that is possible to be solved, Bozkir added that the natural gas and the water transferred from Turkey are important factors as well.

Stating that many hopes exist that the Cyprus problem will be solved this year, Bozkir recalled that if the two leaders agree on a final text, this would be set to a referendum.

Bozkir also pointed to the importance of reaching to a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on the political equality of the two communities in the island and reiterated Turkey's full support to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

Evaluating Turkey's EU negotiation process and its connection with the Cyprus negotiation process, Bozkir alleged that the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU bid are two separate matters in spite of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side exerted efforts to connect them.

He further said that if the Cyprus problem is solved, then Turkey's EU negotiation process will progress as well. Bozkir also added that the solution of the Cyprus problem is amongst Turkey's priorities and said that the solution will please Turkey.

(AK)

[03] Talat met with Turkes in Ankara

Talat met during his visit to Ankara with Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and Responsible of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes. Speaking to Yeni Duzen after the meeting, Talat stated that they discussed with Turkes the developments on the Cyprus problem, the issue of the administration of the water transferred from Turkey and the economic reforms that are needed to take place in the breakaway regime.

Reporting on Talat's visit to Ankara, Kibrisli (06.01.16) reported that Talat also met with the former Speaker of the Turkish Assembly Cemil Cicek.

(CS)

[04] Turkes will visit the breakaway regime

Turkes made this statement during a meeting he held with the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat in Ankara.

(CS)

[05] Ozersay established the People's Party in the breakaway regime

The motto of the new party is "New policy with the will of the people".

Speaking during a press conference Ozersay stated that the new political formation was born out of the need for a new political understanding. "The aim of the People's Party is to create a democratic, secular, open and accountable party which protected people's basic rights", he stated.

Refering to the Cyprus problem, Ozersay stated that the party will support a solution "that will be accepted by the two peoples on the island". "A balanced solution that protects the rights and interests of the two peoples on the island and where there are no losers is what the People's Party supports", he added.

(CS)

[06] The water from Turkey has started flowing in the occupied Panagra Dam again; The political crisis on the water management still goes on

Stating that in case no other technical problems appear, the dam will totally fill up in four months, Cinar said alleging that Turkey's State Water Affairs Department (DSI) will cover all the cost until the filling up of the dam and also all the electricity cost expenses.

Meanwhile, the paper adds that although the technical problems were almost overpassed, the political crisis towards the issue of the water management continues.

In statements on the water management crisis, so-called minister of agriculture, natural resources and food, Erkut Sahalli, said that their efforts towards solving this issue has not yield to a result yet. He proposed the issue to be solved thought a mechanism envisaging cooperation and partnership of the private-state sectors and clarified that it is out of question for them to accept any impositions towards the water management.

(AK)

[07] A land of 16.5 km2 belonging to Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has come into Turkish possession since 2006.

Ayfer Erkmen, "vice president" of the "commission" announced that since 2006, 6,250 persons have applied to the "immovable property commission" and only 730 cases of them have been concluded.

Noting that until today 220 million British sterling were paid to the applicants as compensation by the "commission", Erkmen added that around to 50 more cases that have been concluded will also be compensated. He explained that there is a delay due to some works in the "finance ministry" and added that the payments are around to 50 million British sterling.

Erkmen said that during the meetings the Greek Cypriot property owners have with the "ministry of interior" under the name of "friendly settlement", in case there is an agreement on the price issue, the "immovable property commission" starts its investigations.

Erkmen explained that in case the "commission" considered it appropriate, then the process starts at the "land registry office. He added that with the signature of the documents, the Greek Cypriot property becomes automatically a Turkish property and at the same time, the person who lives inside this property becomes the owner of the property. Erkmen announced that 16.5 km2 of Greek Cypriot immovable property has passed into Turkish land property.

Erkmen concluded by saying that 5,520 applications are still pending.

(DPs)

[08] The "ombudsman" has launched investigation against the so-called council of ministers' decision

The above foreign company will carry out inspections and controls to the T&T airport company which undertook the management of the illegal Tymbou airport with the build-operate transfer (BOT) model.

The foreign company will provide services for a period of 50 months and this will cost 11 million 250 thousand US dollars, writes the paper.

According to the paper, Emine Dizdarli "ombudsman" in the occupied area of Cyprus, reacted strongly over the decision of the "council of ministers" to assign a foreign company for this matter and announced that they had decided to launch an investigation since no tenders took place.

Dizdarli further said that the control services could be provided by the "attorney general", the "ombudsman" or other organizations in the "TRNC".

(AK)

[09] Ankara looks to strengthen ties with EU during the Dutch presidency

Dutch Ambassador Kees Cornelis van Rij spoke to officials in Ankara on Tuesday evening at an event organized by the Dutch Embassy to commence the start of the Netherlands' term in presidency over the European Council, which they will hold for the first half of 2016. Cornelis van Rij said that the Dutch presidency is significant for the credibility of the EU enlargement process and that the Netherlands anticipates the speeding up of Turkey's accession process. "The EU-Turkey summit held in Brussels last November restored trust and brought fresh impetus to relations between the two countries," the newly appointed Ambassador said.

Turkey's EU negotiation process began in Ankara with the previous Dutch presidency in 2004, with officials now planning to open five additional policy chapters in the first half of 2016. The Netherlands' work program focuses on four key areas, including migration, international security, sound finances and a productive Europe. These areas will focus on innovation, job creation and climate and energy policies that focus on the future. "We welcome the European Commission's commitment to completion of preparatory efforts in the first quarter of 2016 to open additional chapters, including the crucial Chapter 23 and 24 on justice and fundamental rights," van Rij said.

Ambassador Hansjorg Haber, head of the European Union Delegation to Turkey, emphasized in his speech that Ankara and the EU are committed to meeting deadlines and succeeding in the process with emphasis on the implementation of standards and criteria rather than deadlines. "Our plan is sincere, and so far [we are] convinced that the timeline we have agreed on can actually be met. What we need under these conditions is very close and trustful cooperation in both directions," he said.

Underlining that their government is aiming to achieve reforms in various fields, including EU-related reforms, EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir said that the government has announced more than 250 reform packages and reiterated its determination to achieve these goals. "We take these steps for the European Union to make important progress in many aspects in Turkey. Making progress according to the chapters also affects the daily lives of Turkish citizens. Of course, what we will be able to achieve in terms of reform will be one of the most important elements to potentially change the negative concept of Turkey in the Western world," Bozkir added.

[10] Davutoglu: Ball in Parliament's court on new Constitution

"I think six months will be enough [to write a new Constitution] when the current acquis on the matter is also considered," Davutoglu told press members.

"A new constitution was a priority among our election pledges," he said after meeting with Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman earlier in the day.

Davutoglu said that the Parliament Speaker would now be inviting the opposition parties, including the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), to found commissions to conduct work for a new charter.

The current number of seats of the AKP does not allow it to produce a new Constitution on its own and so the text should be a product of all parties in Parliament, he recalled.

As expected, all three opposition parties expressed their objection to the adoption of a presidential system and proposed instead to correct malfunctioning and weaker parts of the existing parliamentary system.

The commission is planned to be composed of members from all four parties equally, like similar previous commissions, but uncertainty continues over whether it will have to take decisions unanimously or by a simple majority vote. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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